Vina, Tharptown coaches face off at Coleman Coliseum

TUSCALOOSA — Most summer play dates don’t come with championship banners overhead, or a college coaching legend posing for photos of a father and daughter coaching on opposite benches. But this was no ordinary game.

When the girls basketball teams of Vina and Tharptown stepped onto the hardwood at Coleman Coliseum in Tuscaloosa, home of the Alabama Crimson Tide, it marked a milestone for two small-town programs, and a personal first for Vina’s Richie Hester and his daughter, Tharptown head coach Abby Ward.

“It was a good moment,” Hester said. “Tharptown has become a very competitive opponent. Of course, it was different with Abby being on the other end of the court, but every moment’s been special with my girls.”

Ward called it bittersweet.

“I’ve always been on the same side of the court as him,” she said of her father. “I’m excited for this new adventure though, and I’ll still be supporting him and my little sister every chance I get.”

Ward played for her father at Vina, then coached beside him for four seasons. This summer marked the first time they have met as head coaches leading their own teams.

The game was part of a University of Alabama summer basketball camp, offering small-school teams the chance to test themselves against larger competition. It was Vina’s third year attending and Tharptown’s first.

“For our program, I think it boosted our confidence and inspired us to push ourselves to compete,” Ward said. “We played against 7A and 5A schools. We won some and lost some, but we learned a lot that we’re going to take with us.”

She said many of her players had never been in such a setting. There were questions, nerves and then, after it ended, some reluctance to leave.

“They were begging not to go home,” Ward said.

Hester said he builds Vina’s summer schedule around opportunities to face strong teams.

“Playing against larger schools only makes Vina girls tougher and better,” he said. “You must get better to reach the level you want to be at when basketball season starts. This camp helped us reach our summer goals.”

Both coaches praised Alabama women’s head coach Kristy Curry, who posed for photos with players and encouraged the teams.

“Coach Curry is one of a kind,” Ward said. “She’s always so kind and encouraging. The girls were starstruck.”

Hester said Curry treats small-school programs with the same respect she shows elite teams.

“She’s treated us like we were a 6A or 7A program,” he said. “I only have the utmost admiration for her and for Alabama women’s basketball.”

For Vina, the camp wrapped up a strong summer showing. Several players stood out, including junior Layla Hester — Richie’s youngest daughter.

“She really got to play at a level that challenged her,” Hester said. “Me and some other coaches were very impressed with her performance.”

Eighth grader Cecilia Rowbottom, sophomore Olivia Crum and senior Harleigh Ridge also rose to the challenge. Miranda King had a strong camp. Freshman Marissa Lamar found scoring opportunities, while Lindie Easterling, Bella Creekmore and Brenleigh Cole also contributed.

At Tharptown, Ward saw team growth too.

“In the summer, we’re learning how to work with each other and what we need to improve on,” she said. “This was a great opportunity for both of those things.”

“I was impressed with all of my girls,” she added. “I truly believe they all grew from this summer. It was a fun three weeks.”

After the game, the two coaches called each other to talk things over just like they always have.

“I truly look up to him,” Ward said. “Not just because he’s my dad, but because he’s always been a great coach in my book.”

When asked whether they swapped game plans, she laughed.

“When we’re playing each other, we definitely don’t talk strategies,” she said. “But it’s all love. We’re both getting to do what we love.”

Hester said coaching has always been a family thing. All four of his daughters have played for him at some point.

“Basketball has been preached and drilled in them since an early age,” he said. “I guess Abby got the most of it.”

The two teams will meet again this fall during Vina’s Veterans Day Tournament. This time, it will count toward regular season records, but the moment at Coleman Coliseum will be hard to top.

“I’m so blessed to have the opportunity to do what I love,” Ward said. “And to be surrounded by people who mean so much to me. Basketball has always been an important part of my life. This is something I’ll cherish forever.”